The 23-year-old finished second behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in his rookie season, but a remarkable campaign was overshadowed by a well publicised breakdown in his relationship with Spaniard Alonso.

McLaren were also fined £50m and stripped of their constructors' points in the Ferrari spy row.

Alonso has since returned to Renault, with Heikki Kovalainen travelling in the opposite direction, and Hamilton insists he and the team are now in better shape than ever.

"I wouldn't say that what happened last year was a blow, but you wouldn't be human if you didn't feel anything," he said.

"But I've recovered from it and I feel even stronger, mentally and physically, and now I'm just excited and even more determined than I have been in the past.